Christie was born Johann Heinrich Christiansen in 1878, emigrated from Germany, and was naturalized as an American citizen in 1899.
He studied architecture in Pennsylvania and Europe, then returned to Oakland, California.
He was hired by Southern Pacific as a junior draftsman in 1904 working for civil engineer John D. Isaacs, and was certified to practice architecture in California in 1913.
He retired from Southern Pacific in 1947 but continued to work in private practice.
[1] At least four stations Christie designed have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places.